STILLMAN VALLEY — Stillman Valley’s first couple turnovers were forgivable. Field conditions were less than perfect, after all, and Oregon was bound to make the same mistakes.

But the Hawks, being every bit the two-time defending conference champs they are, did not.

Oregon capitalized on five Stillman Valley turnovers to beat the Cardinals 28-0 Friday and win its third straight Big Northern West title. The Hawks (9-0, 5-0 BNW) became the first Big Northern team since 2004 to finish the regular season undefeated.

“It’s so hard in this conference to go 9-0,” said Oregon coach John Bothe, who was drenched from the rain and from his players pouring water on him after the win. “For the next 24 hours I’m just going to pause and celebrate this conference championship. I’m very humble and very proud.”

The battle between the two unbeaten teams started with Oregon’s only turnover when the Hawks lost the ball on a fumble on their first drive. It was the only big mistake Oregon would make the rest of the night.

Stillman Valley, on the other hand, fumbled a punt early in the first quarter, and Oregon followed it with a 5-yard touchdown run by Nick Snyder.

The Cardinals fumbled again on their next drive. Again, Oregon turned it into a 6-yard TD run by Snyder. Stillman Valley added another fumble and one interception before the half, and Oregon led 14-0 at the break.

“The turnovers helped big time,” said Oregon quarterback Ryan McWethy, whose white jersey was dark brown by the end of the game from the sloppy field at Stillman Valley. “And we really capitalized on their turnovers and their fumbles.

“It was a lot of fun. There was a lot of intensity out here, and we were just having fun.”

Oregon took a 21-0 lead four minutes into the second half on a 22-yard run by Nick McKeown. The Cardinals had one productive play in the second half — a 51-yard pass from Cody Brewington to Shaw Haas. But two plays later, Stillman Valley threw its second interception.

The Hawks then sealed the win with six minutes remaining on a 45-yard run by Snyder.

“Our two scores directly after their two turnovers were the big thing,” Bothe said. “I knew that whichever team fell behind tonight was going to have a tough time catching up.”

McKeown finished with 127 yards on 17 carries, and Snyder followed with 117 yards on 18 rushes. The Hawks outrushed Stillman Valley 312-86. Alex Cox was the leading rusher for the Cardinals with 42 yards on six carries.

“I thought going into this year that Oregon was going to have an outstanding team,” Stillman Valley coach Mike Lalor said. “The thing that stands out to me so much about them is their consistency. They are so consistent, and they don’t make any mistakes.

“We didn’t play well at the start, and you can’t have any mistakes against Oregon.”

- Emily Tropp, rrstar.com